A17183:840
Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)
Fifty godly and learned sermons divided into five decades, containing the chief and principal points of Christian religion, written in three several tomes or sections, by Henry Bullinger minister of the church of Tigure in Switzerland. Whereunto is adjoined a triple or three-fold table very fruitful and necessary. Translated out of Latin into English by H.I. student in divinity.Fiftie godlie and learned sermons diuided into fiue decades, conteyning the chiefe and principall pointes of Christian religion, written in three seuerall tomes or sections, by Henrie Bullinger minister of the churche of Tigure in Swicerlande. Whereunto is adioyned a triple or three-folde table verie fruitefull and necessarie. Translated out of Latine into English by H.I. student in diuinitie.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for Ralph Newberrie, 1577London: printed by Henry Middleton for Ralphe Newberrie, 1577
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Again in the same epistle, the same 1Augustine saith: Whereas some which would not have upright laws ordained against their ungodliness, do say: that the Apostles did never require any such things of the kings of the earth, they do not consider that that was an other time (not like to this) & that all things are done in their due time and season. For what Emperor did at that time believe in Christ to serve him by making laws in defence of religion against ungodliness? When as yet that Prophecy was in fulfilling: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers toke counsel against God and against his Christ. For as yet that was not begun which followeth in the Psalm, where it is said: And now understand ye kings, and be ye learned ye that judge the earth, serve him in fear and rejoice in trembling. But how do kings serve God in fear, but by forbidding & punishing with devout severity, those things, which are done against Gods commandments? For in that he is a man, he serveth him one way: but in that he is a king, he serveth him an other way. Because in that he is a man, he serveth him by living faithfully: but in that he is a king, he serveth him by establishing convenient laws to command that which is just, and to forbid the contrary. As Hezekiah served him by destroying the groves and temples of idols, and those high places that were erected against the Lords commandment. As Josiah ⟨p. 206⟩served him by doing the like. As the king of Nineveh served him by compelling the whole city to please and appease the anger of the Lord. As Darius served him by giving the idol into Daniels power to be broken in pieces, and by casting his enemies in among the Lyons. As Nebuchadnezzar served him by a terrible proclamation, which forbade all men within his Dominion, to blaspheme the true and very God. In this therefore should kings serve God, in that that they are kings, by doing those things which none can do but kings. Wherefore when as in the Apostles times, the kings did not as yet serve the Lord, but imagined a vain thing against the Lord and against his Christ, that the Prophets sayings might be fulfilled, there could not as then (I say) any laws be made to forbid ungodliness, but counsel be rather taken to put ungodliness in practise.
Againe in the same epistle, the same 1